Healthy Backpack Use

They're not just for kids... although chances are, if you're a parent, this is on the top of your back to school list. Many professionals are also choosing backpacks over briefcases, so whatever your age, let's look at how best to shop and use them! There can be long term health risks with wearing poorly designed backpacks and carrying too much weight. Here are backpack tips from our Chiropractic Association's Pack it Light Wear it Right Campaign:

  • Choose a bag that is lightweight, has a padded back, a waist or hip strap and two wide straps (2”) with lots of pockets.
  • Pack the heaviest items close to your back.
  • Use the pockets as much as possible to distribute the load.
  • Pack it light with only what you (or your child) need in the day. Less then 10% of their body weight for kids in grade 8 or younger; less then 15% of their body weight for older kids and adults.
  • Wear it right by placing the backpack on a waist height surface, and slipping the straps on one at a time. Use both straps! Adjust straps so pack is against back & only tight enough that you can still slip a hand between the bag and back. Use the waist or hip straps to reduce strain on the back.

Back to school (and back to work or back to our fall routine) can mean there is additional stress on our body from carrying our day on our back, from sitting more, especially from slouching at our desk, and the increased use of electronics.
Unfortunately, text neck is on the rise, as we all spend more time on our devices. Our Alberta Chiro website has stretches and tips available for you, or ask us in the office what may be best for you!

Information taken from the albertachiro.com website.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vegan

Image
Ten days of eating Vegan are under way.  This is the food experiment I am dreading the most, but I will try my best.   Why am I wanting to try Vegan? Amount of Protein.   I am curious if I am getting too much protein with my usual carnivore diet.  I haven't convinced myself that I will be calculating my daily protein consumption, but maybe this will give my body a break if I am getting too much.  So far, I'm sticking to my grazing-3 meals and 3 snacks a day & will try to balance them all with protein, fats and carbs. Alkaline State.   Vegan diets support your body being in an alkaline state, which is better for us for many reasons and if I find the time that would be a blog post alone.  I threw this comment out to a practice member and she suggested we get some pH strips to measure, so we did.  (Just from our Health Food Store, but apparently you can also get them at Home Care Centres.) Inflammation.   Too much of the wr...
Read more

Outdoor Inspiration

Image
We went to Banff this past weekend. Absolutely one of the best things about living so close to the mountains, and also something we rarely take advantage of.  Beautiful mountains, fresh air, excellent sushi (don't we all go to Banff for sushi?), healing, mineral hot springs. Sounds lovely, yes? While I was there, I checked my email and coincidentally, had one commenting on the benefits of being outside (kids and adults) for 2-3 hours per day. Yes, 2-3 hours a day.  I don't think commuting in the car counts.   Are you outside this often? Are your kids? So many benefits of being outside: Fresh air Better sleep More exercise (unless that's lying on a beach, or in a hammock) Ability to explore our natural world-trees, bugs, animals, mud... More neurosensory stimulation (like waking on uneven surfaces, balancing on logs, new textures) Family time Unplugged time Did I find enough reasons without looking up any research articles?  I know th...
Read more

Clay and The 12 Senses

Image
This past weekend was the 4th Annual Waldorf Gateways Conference, with keynote speaker, Dr. Adam Blanning.  Dr Blanning is trained in family practice medicine and in anthroposophically extended medicine.  I enjoyed learning about Health and Well-Being for Children and Families, and especially enjoyed my two workshops.   The clay...wonderful for our 12 senses!  Hopefully that's making you think a little, are you familiar with our 12 senses?  The first 5 are easy... vision, smell, taste, hearing, and touch.  And then?   Imagine working with clay-first you will see the clay, and then reach out and touch it.  You may bring it up to your nose to smell, but hopefully you don't stick your tongue out to taste it.  The clay may feel cold, or start to warm up as you work it in your hands.  You probably won't hear too much from the clay, except the quiet of the room, or other voices.  If you hear voices, you may hear words being spoke...
Read more